The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-09-21
OFFENSIVE PARTISANsHIP.

The Brooklyn Eagle refers to the fact
that the New York Times ''gives the names
of no less than fourteen incumbents of
Federal Office in Pennsylvania who were
present at the meeting of the Democratic
State convention" and says the New York
Evening Post "treats this numerous at
tendance of officials, who, it thinks, should
have been at their posts of duty dispatch
ing the business of the Government, in a
vein that leaves no room to doubt its ex-
IRENE regret and displeasure." The idea
seems to be that these Democratic officials
disobeyed the Presidents letter OF instruc-
tions relating to such matters. and that, by
attending the Democratic convention, they
became offensive partisans," according to
the Civil Service lexicon.
The Eagle refers to the Presidents letter
aud confesses that it does not compre-
bend it's meaning, and thinks that it has
cleft the exact line of the Federal en-
ploye's duty exceedingly vague" Can
Federal employe attend Democratic con-
vention for any purpose whatever? Can
he advise, consult, council with anybody
at convention? Can he attend as "mere
looker-on2" The Eagle proceeds to en-
| quire: would it, for instance, be right for
Federal employe to invite his friends to
political conference at his own house2
Would it be proper for him, il his advice
and counsel were asked, to give them?
Could he, under any circumstances, pub
licly make known his preference for GER
tai? candidate or policy2" The Eagle could,
we think, with great proprety, have ex-
tended the list of interrogatories. 1t could
have asked does citizen who accepts posi-
ton as federal employe," sbrogate any
right of citizen2 Is it becoming, is it
in consequence with the genius of American
institutions, to require an American clti-
zen in taking any civil position whatever,
to disrobe himself of any Prerogative of
citizenship? Is it proper to ask Of any
applicant for employment in the service
of bis Government, any questions, other
than, as he honest, is he capable, is he
loyal to the constitution In a Govern
ment of the people, by the people, for the
people. there will be political parties, diff
ferent politics, different measures. Who,
by any constitution or law is placed above
the sovereign citizen? Who has right to
say, when an American wants to attend q
convention, he shall not. or, when be wants
to speak, he shall remain silent? Free
speech and free press are the browning
glories of American liberty. Has it come
to this, that for position, for bread and
butter, for Government employment, any
citizen, We care not how humble he may
be, shall be required to surrender any
right Of citizenship. any privilege, any
prerogalive? THE time has arrived
rays the Eagle, when Mr.. Cleveland
can afford to state more spec.
ifically his views, to lay down moro
explicitly and in detail the rules (Which be
desires to have observed and to use the nu
merous alleged violations of his orders fol
the purpose Of illustrating his meaning and
making palmer the path in which Fedora
oficeholders are to tread" We think the
time has arrived for Mr.. Cleveland to say
that he has no desire to deprive any citi
zen, though he may work for the Fedora
government, of any right he may claim
| unOeI the COustltutlOu. IL tdlk pollLlC5
IL the birth right of American citizens
Politics Is the science of government, and
be who takes no interest In politics take
no interest In government. The people
should understand politics, and the EN-
ploye of the government, IL an American
citizen, should be quite as familiar witt
politics as those who are more highly..fa
vored. The presidents of the United State
have always talked politics, their csbine
officials have talked politics, and in sucl
matters the bumblest employe has all tn
rights OF. the highest dIgnitsry known Il
the constitution or the statute. II 1t b
not 50, some one ought to be able to poin
out where the constitution fixes tn
boundaries. 1t Is worse than insulting
to say that In England, Russia, China o
some other king-cursed land employe
!. of the government don't tall
about the government. Quite prob
able. But they are not Amer
J lean citizens They are not SOVEREIGN
They cannot make and unmaks rulers
Here such responsibilities are placed upol
the people, and by divine right the peopl
may attend conventions. talk politics an
do al other things becoming free men, an